Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



The man's demeanor was as chilling as a frosty winter morning, making Elaine shiver with unease.

The voice recorder played back her conversation with Mr. Turner...

Her complexion turned ghostly pale in an instant. Had Ludwik discovered that it was she and Mr. Turner who had stolen the Sharp-F Chip?

Panic engulfed her.

No, stay calm...

Her mother had already drilled into her that if ever accused, to deflect blame onto Jarvis. She had mentally rehearsed her story countless times.

Tears streaming down her face, Elaine pleaded, "Ludwik, the kidnapping, tampering with the operations at Skyfaith, it was all Jarvis' doing. He blackmailed me with compromising photos of us, loads of them!

I was terrified, his tactics were ruthless, using my parents to threaten me.

I never meant to harm Skyfaith, he threatened to ruin any chance of us getting married.

I was so desperate to be your wife, scared you'd find out my secrets and reject me.

I got confused, Ludwik, I know I messed up, please, can you forgive me?

It hurts so much, my kidney is in agony..."

She collapsed on the floor, her hysterical sobs and the sight of her pallid, curled-up body frustrated Ludwik.

Once, such a display from Elaine would have evoked his sympathy, guilt even, for his mother taking one of her kidneys.

But now, his feelings had shifted towards disdain.

Unable to discern truth from lies.

And he no longer wished to try.

He was aware of Jarvis' nefarious methods, but it takes two to tango.

Who could really know what went on in her mind?

Her malice towards Danny wasn't unfounded.

With a cold tone, Ludwik lifted her chin, his words laced with sarcasm, "Elaine, you should know, the only reason you're not behind bars, and this recording hasn't been handed to the police, is because you donated a kidney to my mother, and saved my life.

Otherwise, for your involvement in Danny's kidnapping and the betrayal of Skyfaith, you'd be facing far worse.

I haven't forgotten our past. That's the only reason you're still safe.

The wedding is off. We both need some time to cool off, hence my suggestion for you to move out.

Understood?"

His face was devoid of emotion.

His harsh words delivered so calmly made Elaine tremble violently.

She knew better than to push him further, recognizing the rage simmering just beneath his calm exterior.

Elaine, sobbing, accepted her fate, "Alright, I'll move out for now. I know you're angry about what happened with Jarvis. Once you've calmed down and forgiven me, I'll come back, Ludwik. The wedding has always been my dream.

My health is failing, and if I can't marry you, I'd rather die now.

But remember, we're forever bound, for one of my kidneys lies within your family!

I've saved your life twice, at great personal risk. You owe me a lifetime, Ludwik."

Ludwik's expression grew colder, sensing a veiled threat.

The word 'obligation' weighed heavily on him.

Indeed, one of her kidneys was in his mother's body.

He wasn't one to forget a kindness.

Yet, at this moment, Ludwik wished Elaine hadn't donated her kidney or saved him...

He sighed inwardly, knowing such thoughts were fruitless and heartless.

He pressed his lips together, "Driver, take Elaine to Stream Manor."

"Ludwik, can't I leave later? I wanted to cook you dinner..." Elaine bargained, her voice pitiful.

Ludwik remained impassive, "Elaine, the wedding is canceled, and there's no point in these gestures anymore. I'm stepping out; do as you please."

"Where are you going? Is it to see Whitney? It's because of her you called off the wedding, isn't it!"

Elaine's accusation was met with silence, the sound of a door slamming marking his departure, ignoring her hysteria.

Clenching her fists, Elaine was barely able to contain her rage when the driver approached.

"Elaine, I've loaded your bags into the car."

"Where's Ludwik?"

"Mr. Lippert has just left in his car."

He must be rushing to see that wench Whitney!

The maid, Lyra, tried to soothe her, "Elaine, perhaps we should go. Continuing this might only make Mr. Lippert resent you more..."

Elaine, gritting her teeth in fury, was escorted out by the driver.

Once in the car, with swollen eyes, she called her mother, "Mom, Ludwik kicked me out...

He wouldn't listen to my explanations or consider rescheduling the wedding!"

"What?" Delphine cursed inwardly but quickly regained her composure, comforting her daughter, "Don't jump to the worst conclusion. At least Ludwik provided you with a luxurious place to stay, which means he hasn't completely abandoned you.

You must find a way back into Everwood Villa Estate.

And remember, it was that witch Whitney who leaked the wedding video!"

Elaine seethed, "I knew it had to be her."

"Elaine, we're at a disadvantage, but you still hold a card, your significant favor to the Lippert family..."

Elaine understood, snorting, "Ludwik thinks he can easily get rid of me? He's mistaken."

After hanging up, Elaine checked her phone, finding the top searches filled with scandalous videos from the wedding.

The inte branded her a villain, and the Bartels family's stocks plummeted.

Fuming, she smashed her phone, vowing revenge against Whitney.

Ludwik drove a few hundred meters away, stopping at Everwood Villa Estate's bend to smoke.

Watching Elaine's car disappear, he finally pinched out the cigarette, his brow furrowed in thought.

He was desperate to see Whitney. Since stepping out of the police station late last night, his heart had been a tumultuous mess, as if tiny insects were gnawing at his insides.

It was only the pressing matter of dealing with Jarvis that kept his chaotic emotions at bay.

Now, with a moment to himself, he couldn't wait any longer to see her.

Ludwik pondered for a couple of seconds, feeling a bit troubled, before making a call back to the mansion.

In the upstairs study, hearing that Danny was packing his bags to leave for good brought a sly grin to Elaine's face.

Just as she was about to share the juicy news with Sammy, her dad's call came through.

With a smirk, she answered, "Hello?"

Ludwik's voice, serious and a bit strained, came through. "Do you want to see your mom?"

Daniel's lips twisted in a sneer, mercilessly mocking, "I guess some guy just misses his ex-wife and is using me as an excuse, huh?"novelbin

Silence.

"I need an excuse? This is me giving you a chance!" Ludwik retorted, pride wounded.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Daniel said, ending the call abruptly.

The rigid man, frustration etched deep in his features, angrily tossed his cigarette butt and with furrowed brows, drove off into the night.